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The James Webb space telescope has discovered the oldest black hole ever detected, which was thriving so soon after the Big Bang that it challenges our understanding of how these celestial behemoths form, astronomers said Wednesday.

Argentina's libertarian new President Javier Milei slammed the threat to the West posed by socialism at the meeting of global political and business elites in Davos on Wednesday.

British head of state King Charles III has been treated for an enlarged prostate and will undergo a procedure in hospital next week, Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney declared himself "free" as he celebrated the end of his eight-month ban from football on Wednesday.

Severe winter weather in northern Europe prompted the cancellation of hundreds of flights Wednesday at Frankfurt airport, Germany's busiest, while heavy snow in Scandinavia shut down air travel in Oslo for several hours.

Skipper Rohit Sharma became the first batsman in Twenty20 internationals to hit five centuries as he propelled India to 212-4 after a top-order collapse in the third match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.

The Princess of Wales is facing up to two weeks in hospital and several months' recuperation after undergoing successful abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday.

Peter O'Mahony will captain Ireland in their defence of the Six Nations title with head coach Andy Farrell declaring on Wednesday the veteran backrow forward is a "born leader."

Trade barriers can slow the world's energy transition but commerce also needs to be fair, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said Wednesday, as world powers tussle over the technologies key to fighting climate change.

US retail sales accelerated more than anticipated in December, closing out a year marked by resilient consumption, government data showed on Wednesday.

Rory McIlroy hopes the worst is behind him going into the Dubai Desert Classic after a series of critical mistakes denied him the title last week at the Dubai Invitational.

Under-pressure Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Wednesday he would resign if his squad no longer believed in him following last weekend's heavy Spanish Super Cup final loss to Real Madrid.

Novak Djokovic said an angry altercation with a fan may have helped get him over the line during a testing second-round encounter at the Australian Open against home favourite Alexei Popyrin on Wednesday.

Protesters and riot police were injured Wednesday when clashes erupted in a small town in Russia's central Bashkortostan after an activist was sentenced to four years in prison.

Protesters back on the streets a month after Serbia's disputed elections hope they can still rattle the country's strongman leader Aleksandar Vucic.

Security forces in the Comoros clashed Wednesday with protesters angered by the re-election of President Azali Assoumani, as opposition leaders denounced this week's vote as fraudulent.

Red Rose boss Steve Borthwick says Owen Farrell must do "what's right for him" as the England star continues to be linked with a move to French club Racing 92.

China's Asian Cup hopes are on a knife edge after they were held 0-0 for the second game in a row against an unlucky Lebanon on Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic survived a huge test Wednesday to stay on track at the Australian Open but sixth seed Ons Jabeur and former champion Caroline Wozniacki fell victim to exciting young Russians.

British annual inflation unexpectedly picked up in December, data showed Wednesday, dashing hopes of an early cut to UK interest rates and prolonging a cost-of-living squeeze before an election.

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro said Wednesday he had been left "confused" by reports that striker Umar Sadiq was set to return to action for his club Real Sociedad just days after pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.

Novak Djokovic survived a huge scare to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, beating home favourite Alexei Popyrin to stay on track for a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

Protesters in a small town in Russia's central Bashkortostan region clashed with riot police Wednesday after a court sentenced an activist to four years in prison.

British oil giant BP on Wednesday named veteran employee Murray Auchincloss as chief executive officer following a period as interim boss in the wake of Bernard Looney's sacking.

Three Paris Olympics sites face slight delays and are being monitored, but all the sporting infrastructure is expected to be delivered on time for the start of the Games in July, the event's top infrastructure official said Wednesday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said the adrenaline rush he got in a titanic struggle to battle past home hope Jordan Thompson at the Australian Open on Wednesday was "insane".

Pakistan recalled its ambassador from Iran Wednesday and blocked Tehran's envoy from returning to Islamabad after an Iranian air strike killed two children in the west of the country a day earlier.

Jamie George "accepted with huge gratitude and enthusiasm" the offer from head coach Steve Borthwick to captain England in the upcoming Six Nations.

Veteran US diplomat and politician John Kerry said Wednesday he planned to keep working to address climate change including by encouraging the private sector as he steps away from his envoy role.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Wednesday his country's priority for 2024 was to gain control over its skies, as Russia's full-scale assault enters its third year.

Opposition leaders in the Comoros demanded Wednesday that this week's presidential election be declared void, as police fired tear gas on protesters angered at the re-election of President Azali Assoumani.

Stock markets and oil prices slumped Wednesday as investors reacted to weak Chinese growth data and an unexpected rise in UK inflation.